Road Rage And A Shooting

After Minor Highway Accident, Man Is Wounded

2 Arrested

FARMINGTON — Kevin M. Weedall was driving home with two friends early Saturday when they were involved in a minor collision.

Minutes later, the 24-year-old Weedall was being shot at.

Police said another car started following Weedall after the two cars bumped slightly while traveling westbound on I-84. Weedall got off the highway and drove along Route 4 in his hometown of Farmington with the other motorist close behind.

Soon, Weedall pulled into the Farmington Valley Shell station on Route 4 and got out of his car.

``He pulled out the gun and shot at the ground three times,'' Weedall said Tuesday. ``Then he paused. He raised the gun toward me and fired again. It's pathetic. But that's the way today's world is.''

The last bullet struck Weedall, 24, of 20 Knollwood Road, Farmington, in the right elbow. He went into the gas station with the help of two friends who were passengers in his car. Weedall was treated for his injury at Hartford Hospital and released.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the incident, which police described Tuesday as a case of ``road rage.''

The assailants had fled but were captured about an hour later in neighboring New Britain. The handgun used in the shooting had not been recovered as of Tuesday, said Farmington Sgt. James Rio.

Gomez has been charged with first-degree assault, three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, conspiracy, possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol without a permit and unlawful discharge of a firearm. Sanchez was charged with first-degree assault and conspiracy. Police first released information on the shooting Tuesday morning.

The shooting is highly unusual for Farmington and came just hours after a sexual assault occurred near the University of Connecticut Health Center. In that incident, a masked man raped a woman in her house. The rapist is still at large.

Both men in the shooting incident have posted bond and are scheduled to appear in West Hartford Superior Court May 18.